Is the NEW Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 worth it? Honest review of Solo Stove's NEW smokeless fire pit 🔥🔥🔥

[@CapybaraCM]

Wish you would’ve shown the emptying of the 2.0 ashes since that seemed to be the big selling point of the 2nd gen. I get the 1st gen was a hassle to empty but we never saw if the 2nd gen was any easier which seemed to be the point of the video.

[@anichols752]

Yes, big miss on this review.

[@TheWuky22]

Also, he failed to mention the shortcomings of the removable ash pan. It’s poorly designed. The small surface area doesn’t catch all the ashes and some ashes still collect into the center hole at the bottom-meaning you often have to flip the whole thing over anyways to remove the rest of the ash! Also, with the removable base plate and ash pan, that’s two extra pieces rattling area during transport. In my opinion, the “upgrade” of the 2.0 was good in theory, but bad in practice and execution. Btw, I own both 1.0 and 2.0 and prefer the 1.0 any day of the week.

[@isaak-kk7xm]

Just saying, if it's a pull-out ash pit, it won't hold much. He does show how it's put together, also. The pit is not very deep, much like my grill. My grill ash pit basically holds 2 normal grilling sessions.

[@jackzegas]

It would have been nice, at least for newbies, to see you empty the trash can on the 2.0 model. I mean that kind of was the whole advantage of the 2.0 over the 1.0 model. And if a lot of ashes are generated, those edges on the ash container are not that high and it still could spill over and still not be easy to contain. Maybe in the future make a video showing that? BTW, Bella lives up to her name 😊

[@amberisafarmer]

This! This is what I was looking for.

[@BrewReview]

The issue I see here is that the removable ash catcher is just a solid piece with no finger grooves or handles or anything like that to assist with straight-upward removal. I could see a bunch of ash going everywhere should one of the sides bump the internals upon removal or something. Not the upgrade I was hoping to see, tbh.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

there is VERY little difference between the 1 and 2.0.... honestly should have been 2.0 from the get go but i will say when i removed the ash the next day i didn't have any spill issues. if i did bump it, then we are back to the same thing of bag and upside down to get it out

[@ianpaddick2003]

We have the Yukon. And it cost us a leg. We don’t use it a lot, but wished it had a easier way to clean. The dumping isn’t a big deal, more so loving the whole thing to dump is a PITA. I won’t be upgrading as it’s not worth the cash for us as we don’t use it a lot. But good to see they fixed the shortfall they had.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Ya should have come this way the first time

[@patrickm6200]

Hi James, I'd like to throw another option in to the mix. Breeo. Steep on price but wow the quality and it is made in North America. It has got to be hands down current gold standard. We spend a lot for our gear to get quality and Breeo is no exception. Plus all their open fire cooking accessories are spot on with the theme of your channel.

[@danielwolman]

How come you didn't show you emptying the new version after use? That would have been the most useful bit of the video

[@TheRssr1979]

Hi, I was wondering if you still use your solo stove and if you would purchase one again? Thinking getting a Ranger model to keep in our camper.

[@kappatvating]

Have a neighbor who just got it and wow world of difference I’m totally getting a 2.0

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers Steven

[@fmmaj9noname332]

Costco in the US was selling the Yukon 1.0, which is really big, and the ratings were low because they weren't selling the 2.0. Turning a stove over that big can be a real pain and a mess. I think some of the comments and low ratings were because earlier, Costco wasn't mentioning their product was the 1.0.

[@dvdstelt]

Thanks for the details, James! I just ordered the Bonfire in Europe and they don't seem to have the 2.0 there yet. So was disappointed to see the original Bonfire arrive. I'll have it returned and wait for the 2.0.

[@p018112]

You didn't show the clean up on the 2.0. doesn't seem painless. Pan look a bit shallow? Looks like it's just opened on under the ashcatcher which means messy deck? No easy to hard handles?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

It worked as expected. Below the pan is a semi circle cut out and the base. If it overflowed you would have to flip it as well to shake out but the next day after this fire it all came out in the pan

[@garykazanjian824]

Would you be comfortable using the Solo on a composite deck?

[@scottb2231]

I come from the hearth industry - thanks for the excellent review.

[@JustGrillingandChilling.]

As I have said before, James’ videos are so good… unbiased and honest, and the best place to go to get valuable information on the products he showcases…. I’ve got my colleagues and friends with similar interests subscribed …. Keep it up James. 👍🏼👍🏼

[@TheSillyKitchenwithSylvia]

I have had my eye on these solo stoves!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

So fun

[@fraser5454]

Nice review, tks. Does the stand really work and prevent heat from damaging wood or natural stone?

[@jayhache5609]

One of my big questions, too.

[@benhaze1010]

I've never heard about these before seeing your video so another reason I like so much your channel. It does not seem that the Bonfire 2.0 is sold in Canada either unfortunately.

[@KevinStaggs]

I'm having trouble figuring out which size to get - Bonfire or the Yukon. My outside seating area is around 18'x10'. Any advice?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

The Yukon burns a LOT of wood. You will want a cheap and plentiful supply of seasoned wood if you do that

[@paulthomas3782]

Hi James looks like Solo Stove have made some great improvements on an already great Bonfire thanks for sharing Cheers.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

You bet. Cheers Paul

[@davidbuurma9309]

Curious when cooking over the bonfire, does the dripping grease make cleaning up the ash more difficult? Or does it burn hot enough to incinerate the grease?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I throw a log in when done and it’s scorched earth in there. No grease survives

[@richramirez5199]

I appreciate the video.. My Costco has a crazy low price for the Yukon 1.0 so I'm just going to go with that..

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Good choice!

[@grapenuts_]

Hi there, really enjoy all that you do! Would greatly appreciate if you specified in your videos if the product was provided to you, or if you are being compensated by the manufacturer.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

The Solostove pi (video not out yet) was sent to me and the video opens with that. I purchased my pizza oven, offset, big joe 1. I didn’t purchase the big joe 3 or Akorn and both those videos state that I didn’t buy them. I might try to add a graphic or something to make it more clear then me saying I bought this or I was sent this

[@grapenuts_]

@@SmokingDadBBQ hey thank you for replying and breaking it all down. I’ve been going off your recommendations for recent purchases and they’re all winners. I appreciate your channel.

[@Kimsey47]

Appreciate all the information James! My wife and I got a Bonfire 2.0 for a Christmas present to ourselves with a slew of accessories. Of course its been raining since we got it, so we haven't got to enjoy it yet but your videos definitely helped us decide what we needed/wanted. Much thanks! Here's wishing you and your family have a great Christmas holiday sir!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Merry Christmas

[@Mike_Genisys]

Crazy question does the Kamado Joe's Flexible Cooking Rack fit on top of the firepit?

[@spinningbacksidekick]

Why wouldn't you show how you cleaned out the 2.0 after the fire?

[@Keith80027]

Thanks for the review of the Solo. Our city will not allow open wood fires in a fire pit unless I cooking. I have a gas pit that works pretty good, but the Solo would be a lot better. I guessing you use post oak for cooking, but do you use pine the rest of the time?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

When cooking I switch to my good cooking wood or chunks vs the farm face chord I picked up or the grocery store birch which I use to start

[@jrwhite7916]

Took me a bit to realize "2 dot 0" is the same thing as "2 point 0"... Canadian thing I guess?? Love your reviews!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Lol didn’t even think about that

[@jayhache5609]

I’m in the US and we use “dot” all the time, moreso than “point”, even… at this point! ; ) @@SmokingDadBBQ

[@gavinskinner402]

Solo stove brilliant. What we need is for them to build a heat exchanger so I can heat my lazyspa hot tub from it.

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

How cool would that be

[@gavinskinner402]

@@SmokingDadBBQ will hopefully hot rather than cold but I get you 😝

[@smokenick2241]

Hi James! Apologies, this isn't the right video for this message, but I was hoping for some insight on your rotisserie turkey, and figured this was the best chance I had! I was wondering if it is possible, once the turkey is all done, to wrap it in towels and put it in a cooler like a brisket?? I would love to do the turkey on my BJIII but my parents live an hour away. (Not overly worried about the skin... might be able to crisp it briefly in the oven once we get there?) Thank you in advance! Also, love the solo stove video! I was looking at getting the Solo stove 1.0 for the family Shuswap cabin, but this video definitely pushed it towards 2.0 Merry Christmas from friends in the West-

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

if you're not worried about the skin than for sure. another option is to reheat with sous vide as it prevents drying out during reheat in the oven

[@smokenick2241]

@@SmokingDadBBQ Thanks James, I never would have thought of pre-carving at home and sous-viding it where we were going. Absolute win.

[@jimfromri]

In the video around the 4:10 mark, there seems to be a lot of smoke coming from the new Solo stove. Does that accessory negate the smokeless feature?

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

No it’s the birch bark (kiln dried) on start up. It fades fast once the pit is hot

[@jayhache5609]

I heard somewhere that birch bark smells great. Can’t wait to get my 2.0 and try it! @@SmokingDadBBQ

[@Kyle-nj1gz]

James, are you selling the series 1 solo stove then? Asking for a friend. 🙄

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

I gave it to my brother in law we camp with

[@jameshamm7911]

Yes Santa, I'll take one please... ;-)

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Cheers

[@MatthewTillman]

You will get much less smoke if you keep your wood below the air holes at the top of the Solo Stove.

[@simonk833]

Well I just bought a classic 3 and I’d like you to know it’s all your fault. So thanks 😄

[@loismickiewicz2830]

Will we stand for the OG Bonfire fit the Bonfire 2.0?

[@glennkelly8750]

Smoking Dad. How were you able to get the 2.0. Solo Canada does not have it and Solo US wont deliver to Canada … Help!!

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Hold the phones. Mine has warped and deformed after a dozen fires. We use cross border pickups or live 45min from Buffalo to get the things we don’t get. The Solostove pi they sent to me

[@gertch100]

Solostove Bonfire 2.0 is overrated. No smoke is nice, but it’s very small & the heat only radiates straight up. You literally have to be standing over it. I bought the pricey heat deflector. It certainly deflects heat, but u receive no heat higher then a couple feet off the ground

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

i need to update, the new pan wrapped

[@user-xp1xm8pr5j]

but the smoke thought it should be smokeless.

[@GamerNxUSN]

Lol, my Bella eats the ash and used charcoal I dump she will also eat fresh charcoal

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

They love it

[@josephrodriguez9083]

Definitely see smoke lol

[@SmokingDadBBQ]

Haha marketing got carried away. Low smoke more like it

[@laurabyrne2818]

It is absolutely NOT smokeless I have pictures I would love to post